Our History
Community organizations came together under the coalition name, Central Virginia Addiction and Recovery Resources (CVARR) in 2019. However, the story of substance use in Central Virginia and across the state spans several decades. In 2016, Virginia’s Health Commissioner declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency in Virginia, and Lynchburg wasn’t spared from this burden. To address the challenge that substance use posed in Central Virginia, community leaders, stakeholders, and coalitions joined forces to brainstorm a collective response to a burden that was heavier than any one organization could hope to carry alone.
The need for a shared community voice and a united support force was great, but our community’s determination was greater. It was at this time that the Central Virginia Opioid Epidemic Coalition, the OrthoVirginia Opioid Workgroup, and the Community Coalition to Address Substance Use in Pregnancy came together with one voice to answer the call for substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery in Central Virginia. With passionate support and unwavering resolve, our community leaders united under the shared mission and vision of Central Virginia Addiction and Recovery Resources. The result was a collective community-wide network of resources to prevent addiction, promote recovery, sustain healthy lifestyles, and connect people to needed services. Today, we stand together, stronger than ever, to support Central Virginia citizens in their pursuit of a safe and healthy community for all.
Founding Members









